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MPA provides leadership for and direction to the physiotherapy
profession; fosters excellence in practice, education and
research; and positions the physiotherapy profession as
integral to the health and wellness of Manitobans.

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Scope of Practice

What can physiotherapy treatments involve?

Personalized exercise programs designed to improve your strength, range of motion and function

Joint mobilization and manipulation to reduce pain and stiffness

Airway clearance methods to assist people with breathing difficulties

Management of incontinence including pelvic floor re-education

Functional activity and tolerance testing and training

Work and occupational re-training and return to work planning

Prescription, fabrication and application of assistive, adaptive, supportive and protective devices and equipment

Hot and cold packs and modalities to relieve pain, reduce swelling, speed up the healing process, and improve movement and function

Skin and wound care

Environmental changes, focusing on removing barriers to function

Physiotherapists have expertise in:

Musculoskeletal

Physiotherapist are first and foremost, movement specialists. the muscles, bones and joints work together to allow us to move. Physiotherapist are experts at assessing and treating conditions related to movement that can be caused by work place injuries, motor vehicle accidents, sport injuries, repetitive strain injuries...etc. Movement limitation can also be caused by chronic conditions such as chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis, but are not limited to the musculoskeletal system. Regardless of the origin of the condition, be it congenital, chronic or resulting from an injury, Physiotherapists are trained to help you move.

Cardio-respiratory

Physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat both the lungs and oxygen transport systems, including the heart and blood vessels. When the function of these systems declines, it can affect every aspect of an individual's life from work to social activities to basic daily activities. A Physiotherapist understands proper function and is able to provide exercise that can strengthen the heart and lungs. A physiotherapist can help manage symptoms of many common cardio-respiratory conditions including Diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Fibrosis and Congestive Heart Failure.

Neurology

Neurological conditions requiring long term and even lifelong management can require extensive rehabilitation. The nervous system is important for transporting signals related to movement, sensation and pain. Physiotherapists aid in the treatment and management of neurological conditions such as Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis